This study began with the aim of investigating the ways in which aphoristic sayings were used in the synoptic tradition prior to the written gospels. The goal was to define and describe an early sapiential activity interested in aphoristic wisdom, particularly evident in the material of the double tradition. It was hoped that this might make some progress in a much-neglected field and complement the interest shown in other kinds of sapiential motifs in the double tradition, particularly in the figure of divine Sophia.

The starting-point for such an investigation was the aphoristic collections of the double tradition. Five such collections (Lk 11:9–13 par, 12:22–31 par, 6:37–42 par, 6:43–5 par, 12:2–9 par) were found to exhibit a perceptible, recurring formal structure and pattern of argument. Far from their being loose or haphazard collections of aphorisms built simply around catchwords and common themes, a clear design of argument was evident. This design moved in a steady progression from general propositions or admonitions to specific application. A wide variety of persuasive techniques was employed, including the use of the a minore ad maius kind of argument, rhetorical questions and illustrations from one's experience of the world.